The City of Santa Cruz Fire Department and division staff on Sept. 30 presented Fire Prevention Week messaging focused on lithium-ion batteries and household charging safety, part of an annual national campaign.

Division Chief Tim Shields (fire marshal) presented the National Fire Protection Association theme "Charge into fire safety" and emphasized three safety steps: buy products listed by recognized testing laboratories (for example, UL or ETL), charge devices safely (avoid overcharging and keep batteries away from heat sources), and recycle batteries rather than discarding them in regular trash. Shields showed photos of structure fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, including an e-bike fire that led to a total-structure loss within minutes when an unlisted aftermarket battery that was being charged ignited.

Nut graf: The department is using the national theme to highlight safe purchase, charging and recycling practices for devices that use lithium-ion batteries; staff noted the city accepts batteries for recycling at the landfill and that outreach materials will be published in multiple languages.

Council member Golder asked whether the sanitation department could create a battery collection day similar to others (like Christmas tree or oil collection). Shields said he had not yet reached out to sanitation but agreed the idea was useful and could be considered for regular collection or event-based collection days. He also said Fire Prevention Week materials will be posted on social media, the city's website and translated into Spanish (and other languages where available).

Ending: The department said it will promote Fire Prevention Week materials this week and is coordinating with the city’s new public-information officer to disseminate safety messages and recycling information.